Timer having a multi-sided or drum-shaped housing



W. L. LINN July 11, 1967 TIMER HAVING A MULTI-SIDED OR DRUM-SHAPEDHOUSING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10, 1965 INVENTOR WALLACE L. L/NNBY fig ATTORNEY.

w. LINN 3,330,918 TIMER HAVING A MULTI-SIDED OR DRUM-SHAPED HOUSING July11, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1965 IN VE N TOR WA 05 1..LINN ATTORNEY W. L. LINN July 11, 1967 TIMER HAVING A MULT I-SIDED ORDRUM-SHAPED HOUSING Filed Sept. 10, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORWALLACE L. LINN di ATTORNEY ABS CT OF THE DISLOSURE A timer having amulti-sided or drum-shaped housing wherein a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced switches are disposed in the walls of saidhousing in a substantially helical path.

The present invention relates generally to sequential timers and moreparticularly to the means and methods for providing a timer withexpanded control capability in a space formerly occupied by acontemporary timer. The timers, which are the subject or" thisinvention, are of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft for operating a plurality of control switches. Usually,each additional control function assigned to the timer will require theaddition of at least one cam and an associated control switch. As extracams are added, the camshaft of the timer has to be lengthened toaccommodate the added cams. The amount that the camshaft has to belengthened for the addition of a cam and control switch is generallyequal to the width of the switch. That is, the switch is usually thewidest component to be accommodated. The cams usually do not have to bemore than one-sixteenth of an inch thick.

The present invention provides a novel and practical means for housing atimer which will permit the utilization of additional cams and switcheswithout increasing the length of the camshaft. The housing, as will bediscussed later in this specification, is an insulated multisidedhousing substantially cylindrical in shape and with openings in the wallto accommodate the switches. The novel feature is that each opening isspaced about the housing so as to permit the cams to be placed on thecamshaft without a spacer or space between the cams. The particularpattern that will provide this feature, and which is shown in thisspecification as an embodiment of this invention, is with each adjacentopening being radially and longitudinally disposed from each other so asto develop a helical path about the housing.

Another novel feature of the invention is the arrangement of theswitches entirely within the thickness of the wall of the housing. Thisparticular feature provides a timer with all of the switches protectedfrom abuse by handling, repair, etc.

Still another novel feature of this invention is the provision of aflexible connector for interconnecting the terminal members of the timerand for connecting said terminal members to elements of the appliancebeing controlled by said timer. The flexible connector, which isdesigned to wrap around the housing of the timer will facilitate rapidassembly of said timer and will prevent a wiring error since theflexible connector will be molded with the correct connection pattern.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a timerwhich is capable of providing more control functions in less space thancontemporary timers.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a timerhaving an insulated cylindrical or multisided housing withcircumferentially spaced switches disposed about said housing in ahelical path.

It is still another object of the present invention to pronited StatesPatent 3,33%,9l8 Patented July 11, 1967 vide a timer having an insulatedcylindrical or multisided housing with walls of a suitable thickness andwith the switches of said timer disposed within said thickness of saidwalls.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aflexible connector means for wrapping around a timer so as tointerconnect the switches of said timer and to connect said switches toelements of an appliance being controlled by said timer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a timerwherein the cams for actuating the switches of said timer arejuxtapositioned on a shaft without a space or spacer between said cams.

The present invention, in another of its aspects, relates to novelfeatures of the instrumentalities described herein for teaching theprincipal object of the invention and to the novel principles employedin the instrumentalities whether or not these features and principlesmay be used in the said object and/ or in the said field.

Other objects of the invention and the nature thereof will becomeapparent from the following description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings and wherein like reference numbers describeelements of similar function therein and wherein the scope of theinvention is determined rather from the dependent claims.

For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the timer.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view 2-2, taken from FIG- URE 1, wherein therelationship of the cams, cam followers and switches is illustrated.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective drawing illustrating how the contactmembers of the switches are assembled to openings in the walls of thedrum or cylindrical shaped housing.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view 4-4, taken from FIG- URE 2, illustratinghow the cams, camshaft, escapement mechanism, and switches are assembledwithin the drum.

FIGURE 5 is a drawing of the end plate of the timer which rotatablysupports the escapement mechanism and the camshaft of said timer.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of one of the contact membersof a switch showing how the wide cam followers are assembled to saidcontact member.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a contact member showing how a narrowcam follower,is assembled to said contact member.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the timer illustrating theapplication of the wide and narrow cam followers.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the flexible con nector which iswrapped around the drum of the timer so as to interconnect the switchesof said timer and to connect the switches to other elements of theappliance being controlled by said timer.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing how the terminalswhich are molded into the flexible connector are pressed onto terminalsof the switches.

FIGURE 11 is an end view of the timer illustrating how the flexibleconnector is wrapped around the drum of the timer.

Generally speaking, the present invention resides in a timer of the typehaving a plurality of cams mounted on a rotating shaft and comprises, aninsulated substantially cylindrically shaped housing therefor, aplurality of circumferentially spaced switches disposed thereabout, eachof said switches adapted to be activated by said individual cams so asto establish circuit conditions for operating associated equipment, adriving means for rotating said shaft, individual end plates have beenoctagonal with 3 closing said housing and supporting said rotating shaftand said driving means, and a plurality of cutouts formed in saidhousing for receiving contact members of said switches therewithin,whereby a greater number of connecting electrical circuits may becontrolled.

- Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG- URE 1, thecomponent par-ts of the timer of this invention can be visualized inconjunction with the following description. Timer motor 10, which is aconstant speed motor, is mounted to the first end plate 14 of the timerby means of mounting studs and nuts. A rotating shaft, hereinafterreferred to as the camshaft 11, which supports and rotates cams 1-6 isshown projecting through the second end plate 15 of the timer. Selectorknob 12 is affixed to said camshaft 11 so as to provide a manual meansfor positioning said timer at a particular cycle starting point. Aplurality of switches are circumferentially spaced about the multisidedhousing, which is substantially cylindrical and which is hereinafterreferred to as the drum 13 of the timer. It is obvious that a hexagonal,octagonal, or any other multisided drum can be used in lieu of a perfectcylinder for housing the timer of the present invention. For example,the drum 13, shown in FIGURE 2, could a switch placed on each flat sideof the octagonal drum. Each of the switches comprise a first springcontact member 18, a second spring contact member 19, a terminal affixedto said first spring contact member 18 by a rivet 27, a terminal 21affixed to said second spring contact member 19 by a rivet 28, a camfollower 24 snapped in a slot of said second spring contact member 19, aterminal affixed to the wall of said timer by a rivet 29, a contact 22staked to said first spring contact member 18, and a contact 23 stakedto said second spring contact member 19. Other components and thedetails of assembly of said switch will be discussed in conjunction withFIGURE 3. The switches of said timer are mounted in a plurality of cutouts or openings 17 formed in the wall of the drum 13 of said timer. Thecams 16 of said timer can be seen through opening 17 illustrated inFIGURE 1. The openings 17 are circumf'erentially spaced about the wallsof said drum in a helical path. That is, the openings 17 are spaced inthe direction of the camshaft 11 and with respect to each other so as todevelop a helical pattern about said drum 13. This helical pattern isrepresented by the position of switches 32, 33 and 34. It can be seenthat switch 33 is displaced slightly above switch 32 and switch 34 isslightly above switch 33. Referring to FIGURE 2 it can be seen thatswitch 33 is circumferentially spaced from switch 32 and that switch 34is circumferentially spaced from switch 33. Since the switches form ahelical pattern around the periphery of drum 13, the cams 16 whichoperate each switch can be placed very close together. Hence, more camscan be utilized without increasing the size of the timer. The drum 13 isa hollow enclosure of a proper insulating material. The openings 17 inthe drum 13 are trapezoidalshaped to permit the arrangement of contactmembers 18 and 19 as is shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring again to FIGURE 2 we see a sectional view 2--2, taken fromFIGURE 1, showing how the cams 16 operate the switches of the timer. Thesection taken shows parts of switches 32, 33, 34, 40, 41, 42 and 43. Inthe case of switch 32, only the cam follower 24 is shown. Switch 41 isshown in its lowest position, switch 40 is shown in its highestposition, and switch 34 is shown in its neutral position. The lowest,highest, and neutral positions are the three basic portions of eachswitch. The contact relationship for these three positions will bediscussed in conjunction with FIGURE 3. It can be seen in FIGURE 2, thatspring contact member 19 is responsive to the rotation of a cam so as tomake electrical contact with the other contact members of the switches.Indexing spring clip 46 is shown gripping a groove in shaft ll. Thepurpose of indexing spring clip 46 will be discussed in conjunction withFIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 we see an exploded perspective view of aswitch. The purpose of this view is to illustrate the contactrelationship for the aforementioned three basic switch positions. Whenspring contact member 19 is in its lowest position, with the camfollower 24 in a lower level of the cam, contact 23 on said contactmember 19 is in contact with contact 25 and there is a connectionbetween terminals 21 and 30. When spring contact member 19 is in itshighest position, contact 26 on said contact member 19 is in contactwith contact 22 on spring contact member 18 and there is a connectionbetween terminals 20 and 21. When spring contact member 19 is in aneutral position, terminal 21 is not connected to either terminal 20 orterminal 30.

Referring further to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that both spring contactmembers 18 and 19 are assembled within the thickness of the wall of thedrum 13. Spring contact member 18 is at the level18 and spring contactmember 19 is at the level 19'. As shown in FIGURE 4, the level 19 isslightly lower than the level 18. It can be seen that spring contactmember 18 is res-trained by the elevation, or level 18', within thethickness of the wall of the drum 13. It can also be seen that springcontact members 18 and 19 are movable contact members and that contactplate 31 is a stationary contact member.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 we can see how the various components of thetimer are assembled to the drum 13. A pinion gear 49 is driven by thetimer motor 10, not shown in FIGURE 4, to impart motion to theescapement mechanism 48. The escapement mechanism 48 is a means forimparting a snap action rotational motion to the camshaft 11. In theembodiment illustrated, there are sixteen earns 16 rotatably mounted oncamshaft 11, and consequently, there are sixteen switches on the timer.The spacer 50 in between the two sets of eight cams 16 is required forthe embodiment shown because of the choice of a particular helical pathfor the switches about the drum 13 of the timer. In this embodiment ofthe invention, the cams 16 are separated by a spacer 47 which keeps thecam follower 24 on the periphery of the correct cam. The camshaft 11 isa two-piece shaft with said two pieces being coupled by a pin 53 whichwill permit separation in the axial direction. The indexing spring clip46 provides a means for indexing the selector knob 12 portion of theshaft 11 in two positions. When the selector knob 12 is pulled out ofthe timer, the switch activating member 52 opens the two normally closedline switches 51 which provide power for the appliance being controlledby said timer.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, we see a view of the first end plate 14 whichmounts on the drum 113 of the timer. There are three elongated holes 54about the periphery of the end plate 14 which will permit alignment ofthe escapement mechanism 48 which is afiixed to said end plate 14. Thehole 55 is to accept the pinion gear 49 and the hole 56 is to containthe bearing stud for the escapement mechanism 48.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, we see an exploded perspective view of acontact member 19 and a wide cam follower 57 which is snapped into saidcontact member 19. The wide cam follower 57 is pushed into the opening60 as is illustrated by the arrow in FIGURE 6 and then is pushed forwardso that the narrow part of groove 58 is held by the slot 59. The slot 59has small spears formed to hold the cam follower 57.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, we see a perspective view of a contact member19 with a narrow cam follower 24' snapped in slot 59. It will be notedthat the cam follower 24' has a different configuration than the camfollower 24 shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, we see another embodiment of the presentinvention which illustrates the use of wide cam followers 57 and narrowcam followers 24. The earns 61 used in this embodiment have an outsidediameter which is larger than the outside diameter of cams 62 used insaid embodiment. As shown in FIGURE 8, the cams 61 and 62 arealternately placed on the camshaft 11. The wide cam followers 57 areadapted to follow the periphery of cams 61 and the narrow cam followers24' are adapted to follow the periphery of cams 62. This embodiment ofthe present invention eliminates the need for the spacers 47 shown inFIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, we see a perspective view of the flexibleconnector 63 which is wrapped around the drum 13 of the timer so as tointerconnect the switches of said timer and to connect the switches toother elements of the appliance being controlled by said timer. Thedetails of the flexible connector 63 will be discussed in conjunctionwith FIGURE and FIGURE 11.

Referring now to FIGURE 10, we see a fragmentary sectional View showinghow the terminals 66 of the flexible connector 63 are pushed ontoterminals 68 which are fixed to the wall of the drum 13. The wire 65with insulation wrapping 64 is aflixed to terminal 66 before theflexible connector 63 is molded. The material of the flexible connector63 is a flexible insulating material.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, we see how the flexible connector 63 iswrapped around the drum 13 of the timer. The purpose of the flexibleconnector is to assure that the correct switch terminals 68 will beconnected and to protect said switch terminals 68.

The operation of the timer, as hereinbefore described, is similar to theoperation of contemporary timers which have a constant speed timermotor, an escapement mechanism driven by said timer motor, a camshaftcoupled to said escapement mechanism, a plurality of cams mounted onsaid camshaft, and each of said cams adapted so as to operate a switchwhen said cams are rotated. The practical and novel feature of the timerof the present invention is the use of a drum or a hollow substantiallycylindrically shaped housing as a means for mounting the switches of thetimer. The switches are placed in a helical path around the periphery ofthe drum to permit close spacing of the cams on the camshaft of thetimer. The particular helix used in the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIGURES 1 through 11 has switches placed at an angular positionof 45 degrees with respect to each other and adjacent switches advancedapproximately one-sixteenth of an inch in an axial direction. Thisparticular helix proved to be acceptable for the size of the switchesbeing used and permitted the use of one-sixteenth-inch thick cams placedadjacent to each other with no space or spacer between said cams.

It is obvious that a helical path is not the only way in which a drumtype of housing can be utilized to rniniaturize a timer. For instance, adesigner might prefer to place the switches at random about the drum andstill achieve a degree of miniaturization as a result of using a drum.The value of a helical path is that adjacent cams operate adjacentswitches, thereby permitting a progression of timing sequences which isrelatively easy to follow.

The timer of the present invention, as hereinbefore described in one ofits embodiments, is merely illustrative and not exhaustive in scope.Since many widely different embodiments of the invention may be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawingshall be interposed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedsubstantially cylindrically shaped housing therefor, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cut-outs disposed about said housing in ahelical path, each of said cut-outs containing a switch disposedtherewithin, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member,

said first and second movable contact members being curved so as toprovide a spring force which is applied in a direction toward saidrotating shaft, said first movable contact member being restrained frommovement toward said shaft by an elevation which is formed within saidcut-out, said second movable contact member adapted to be moved by oneof said cams through a cam follower so as to make electrical contactwith said first movable contact member and said stationary contactmember, thereby establishing a circuit condition for controllingelements of an appliance, a plurality of terminals affixed to saidhousing so as to make electrical contact with contact members of saidswitches, a driving means for rotating said shaft, and an end plate ineach end of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and saiddriving means.

2. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmovable contact members being curved so as to provide a spring forcewhich is applied in a direction toward said rotating shaft, said firstmovable contact member being restrained from movement toward said shaftby an elevation which is formed within said thickness of said wall, saidsecond movable contact member adapted to be moved by one of said camsthrough a cam follower so as to make electrical contact with said firstmovable contact member and said stationary contact member, therebyestablishing a circuit condition for controlling elements of anappliance, a plurality of terminals aflixed to said housing so as tomake electrical contact with contact members of said switches, a drivingmeans for rotating said shaft, an end plate in each end of said housingfor supporting said rotating shaft and said driving means, and said endplate which supports said driving means having elongated mounting holesto permit rotational alignment of said driving means and said shaft withsaid switches.

3. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmovable contact members being curved so as to provide a spring forcewhich is applied in a direction toward said rotating shaft, said firstmovable contact member being restrained from movement toward said shaftby an elevation which is formed within said thickness of said wall, saidsecond movable contact member adapted to be moved by one of said camsthrough a cam follower so as to make electrical contact with said firstmovable contact member and said stationary contact member, therebyestablishing a circuit condition for controlling elements of anappliance, a plurality of terminals afiixed to said housing so as tomake electrical contact with contact members of said switches, a drivingmeans for rotating said shaft, an end plate in each end of said housingfor supporting said rotating shaft and said driving means, said endplate which supports said driving means having elongated mounting holesto permit rotational alignment of said driving means and said rotatingshaft with respect to said switches, and a flexible connector forwrapping around said housing to interconnect predetermined combinationof said switches and to connect said switches with various elements ofsaid appliance.

4. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmovable contact members being curved to substantially conform to thecurvature of the periphery of said cylindrical housing so as to providea spring force which is applied in a direction toward said rotatingshaft, said first movable con tact member being restrained from movementtoward said shaft by a substantially L-shaped elevation which is formedwithin said thickness of said wall, said second movable contact memberadapted to be moved by one of said cams through a cam follower so as tomake electrical contact with said first movable contact member :and saidstationary contact member, thereby establishing a circuit condition forcontrolling elements of an appliance, a plurality of terminals affixedto said housing so as to make electrical contact with contact members ofsaid switches, a driving means for rotating said shaft, an end plate ineach end of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and saiddriving means, said end plate which supports said driving means havingelongated mounting holes to permit rotational alignment of said drivingmeans and said rotating shaft with respect to said switches, and aflexible connector for wrapping around said housing to interconnectpredetermined combination of said switches and to connect said switcheswith various elements of said appliance.

5. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmovable contact members being curved to substantially conform to thecurvature of the periphery of said cylindrical housing so as to providea spring force which is applied in a direction toward said rotatingshaft, said first movable contact member being restrained from movementtoward said shaft by a substantially L-shaped level which is formedwithin said thickness of said wall, said second movable contact memberhaving one end fixedly connected to a second level formed within saidthickness of said wall and adapted to be moved by one of said camsthrough a cam follower so as to make electrical contact with said firstmovable contact member and said stationary contact member, therebyestablishing a circuit condition for controlling elements of anappliance, said L-shaped level being elevated from said second level, aplurality of terminals affixed to said housing so as to make electricalcontact with contact members of said switches, a driving means forrotating said shaft, an end plate in each end of said housing forsupporting said rotating shaft and said driving means, said end platewhich supports said driving means having elongated mounting holes topermit rotational alignment of said driving means and said rotatingshaft with respect to said switches, and a flexible connector forwrapping around said housing to interconnect predetermined combinationof said switches and to connect said switches with various elements ofsaid appliance.

6. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second movablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmovable contact members being curved to substantially conform to thecurvature of the periphery of said cylindrical housing so as to providea spring force which is applied in a direction toward said rotatingshaft, said first movable contact member being restrained from movementtoward said shaft by a substantially L-shaped level which is formedwithin said thickness of said wall, said second movable contact memberhaving one end fixedly connected to a second level formed within saidthickness of said wall and adapted to be moved by' one of said camsthrough a cam follower so as to make electrical contact with said firstmovable contact member and said stationary contact member, therebyestablishing a circuit condition for controlling elements of anappliance, said L-shaped level being elevated from said second level, aplurality of terminals affixed to said housing so as to make electricalcontact with contact members of said switches, a driving means forrotating said shaft, and an end plate in each end of said housing forsupporting said rotating shaft and said driving means, said end platewhich supports said driving means having elongated mountingholes topermit rotational alignment of said driving means and said rotatingshaft with respect to said switches.

7. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedswitches disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidswitches having first and second spring contact members curved tosubstantially conform to the curvature of the periphery of saidcylindrical housing and a stationary contact member disposed in openingsin the walls of said housing, said second spring contact member having acam follower attached thereto, said follower adapted to follow aperiphery of an associated cam so as to move said second spring contactmember into electrical contact with said first spring contact member andsaid stationary contact member, a plurality of terminal members afiixedto said housing so as to make electrical contact with said springcontact members and said stationary contact members, a driving means forrotating said shaft, an end plate on each end of said cylindricalhousing for supporting said driving means and said rotating shaft, andsaid end plate which supports said driving means having elongatedmounting holes to permit rotational alignment of said driving means andsaid rotating shaft with respect to said switches.

8. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, aplurality of circumferentially spacedswitches disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidswitches having first and second spring contact members curved tosubstantially conform to the curvature of the periphery of saidcylindrical housing and a stationary contact member, and second springcontact member having a cam follower attached thereto, said followeradapted to follow a periphery of an associated cam so as to move saidsecond spring contact member into electrical contact with said firstspring contact member and said stationary contact member, a plurality ofterminal members affixed to said housing so as to make electricalcontact with said spring contact members and said stationary contactmembers, a driving means 'for rotating said shaft, an end plate on eachend of said cylindrical housing for supporting said driving means andsaid rotating shaft, and a flexible connector for wrapping around saidhousing to interconnect predetermined combinations of said switches andto connect said switches with various elements of an appliance beingcontrolled by said timer.

9. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedmultisided housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedswitches disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidswitches having a formed spring contact member which is actuated bymovement of a cam through a cam follower mem. ber, said switches being ameans for establishing circuit conditions for operating elements of anappliance, a driving means for rotating said shaft, an end plate on eachend of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and said drivingmeans, said end plate which supports said driving means having elongatedmounting holes to permit rotational alignment of said driving means androtating shaft with respect to said switches, and a plurality ofterminal members affixed to said housing so as to make electricalcontact with contact members of said switches.

10. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedmultisided substantially cylindrically shaped housing therefor, aplurality of circumferentially spaced switches disposed about saidhousing in a helical path, each of said switches having first and secondspring contact members and a stationary contact member, said secondspring contact member having a cam follower attached thereto, saidfollower adapted to follow a periphery of an associated cam so as tomove said second spring contact member into electrical contact with saidfirst spring contact member and said stationary contact member, aplurality of terminal members aifixed to said housing so as to makeelectrical contact with said spring contact members and said stationarycontact members, a driving means for rotating said shaft, and an endplate on each end of said cylindrical housing for supporting saiddriving means and said rotating shaft.

11. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedswitches disposed about said said housing in a helical path, each ofsaid switches having first and second spring contact members and astationary contact member disposed in openings in the walls of saidhousing, said second spring contact member having a cam followerattached thereto, said follower adapted to follow a periphery of anassociated cam so as to move said second spring contact member intoelectrical contact with said first spring contact member and saidstationary contact member, a plurality of terminal members aflixed tosaid housing so as to make electrical contact with said spring contactmembers and said stationary contact members, a driving means forrotating said shaft, an end plate on each end of said cylindrica-lhousing for supporting said driving means and said rotating shaft, andsaid end plate which supports said driving means having elongatedmounting holes to permit rotational alignment of said driving means andsaid rotating shaft with respect to said switches.

12. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedswitches disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidswitches having first and second spring contact members and a stationarycontact member, said second spring contact member having a cam followerattached thereto, said follower adapted to follow a periphery of anassociated cam so as to move said second spring'contact member intoelectrical contact with said first spring contact member and saidstationary contact member, a plurality of terminal members afiixed tosaid housing so as to make electrical contact with said spring contactmembers and said stationary contact members, a driving means forrotating said shaft, an end plate on each end of said cylindricalhousing for supporting said driving means and said rotating shaft, and aflexible connector for wrapping around said housing to interconnectpredetermined combinations of said switches and to connect said switcheswith various elements of an appliance being controlled by said timer.

13. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedsubstantially cylindrically shaped housing therefor, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cut-outs disposed about said housing in ahelical path, each of said cut-outs containing a switch disposedtherewithin, each of said switches having first and second moveablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmoveable contact members being formed so as to provide a spring forcewhich is applied in a direction toward said rotating shaft, said firstmoveable contact member being restrained by an eleva tion which isformed within said cut-out, said second moveable contact member adaptedto be moved by one of said cams through a cam follower so as to makeelectrical contact with said first moveable contact member and saidstationary contact member, thereby establishing a circuit condition forcontrolling elements of an appliance, a plurality of terminals alfiXedto said housing so as to make electrical contact with contact members ofsaid switches, a driving means for rotating said shaft, and an end platein each end of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and saiddriving means.

14. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second moveablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmoveable contact members being formed so as to provide a spring forcewhich is applied in a direction toward said rotating shaft, said firstmoveable contact member being restrained by an elevation which is formedwithin said thickness of said Wall, said second moveable contact memberadapted to be moved by one of said cams through a cam follower so as tomake electrical contact with said first moveable contact member and saidstationary contact member, thereby establishing a circuit condition forcontrolling elements of an appliance, a plurality of terminals affixedto said housing so as to make electrical contact with contact members ofsaid switches, a driving means for rotating said shaft, an end plate ineach end of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and saiddriving means, and said end plate which supports said driving meanshaving elongated mounting holes to permit rotational alignment of saiddriving means and said shaft with said switches.

15. In a timer of the type having a plurality of cams mounted on arotating shaft, wherein the improvement comprises an insulatedcylindrical housing therefor, a plurality of circumferentially spaced oenings disposed about said housing in a helical path, each of saidopenings containing a switch disposed within the thickness of the wallsof said housing, each of said switches having first and second moveablecontact members and a stationary contact member, said first and secondmoveable contact members being formed so as to provide a spring forcewhich is applied in a direction toward said rotating shaft, said firstmoveable contact member being restrained by an elevation which is formedwithin said thickness of said wall, said second moveable contact memberadapted to be moved by one of said cams through a cam follower so as tomake electrical contact with said first moveable contact member and saidstationary contact member, thereby establishing a circuit condition forcontrolling elements of an appliance, a plurality of terminals afiixedto said housing so as to make electrical contact with contact members ofsaid switches, a driving means for rotating said shaft, an end plate ineach end of said housing for supporting said rotating shaft and saiddriving means, said end plate which supports said driving means havingelongated mounting holes to permit rotational alignment of said drivingmeans and said rotating shaft with respect to said switches, and aflexible connector for wrapping around said h ousing to interconnectpre- 3,149,209 9/ 1964 Wa on 200-6 determined combination of saidswitches and to connect 3,239,614 3/1966 Simmons 20 0-38 said switcheswith various elements of said appliance. FOREIGN PATENTS ReferencesCited 5 1,293,848 4/ 1962 France. 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD A.GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 23351724 5/1958 Colbert 33959 X H. E.SPRINGBORN, Assistant Examiner.

3,142,730 7/1964 Slonnenger et a1 200 38

1. IN A TIMER OF THE TYPE HAVING A PLURALITY OF CAMS MOUNTED ON AROTATING SHAFT, WHEREIN THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES AN INSULATEDSUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICALLY SHAPED HOUSING THEREFOR, A PLURALITY OFCIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED CUT-OUTS DISPOSED ABOUT SAID HOUSING IN AHELICAL PATH, EACH OF SAID CUT-OUTS CONTAINING A SWITCH DISPOSEDTHEREWITHIN, EACH OF SAID SWITCHES HAVING FIRST AND SECOND MOVABLECONTACT MEMBERS AND A STATIONARY CONTACT MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECONDMOVABLE CONTACT MEMBERS BEING CURVED SO AS TO PROVIDE A SPRING FORCEWHICH IS APPLIED IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID ROTATING SHAFT, SAID FIRSTMOVABLE CONTACT MEMBER BEING RESTRAINED FROM MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID SHAFTBY AN ELEVATION WHICH IS FORMED WITHIN SAID CUT-OUTS, SAID SECONDMOVABLE CONTACT MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BY ONE OF SAID CAMS THROUGH ACAM FOLLOWER SO AS TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID FIRST MOVABLECONTACT MEMBER AND SAID STATIONARY CONTACT MEMBER, THEREBY ESTABLISHINGA CIRCUIT CONDITION FOR CONTROLLING ELEMENTS OF AN APPLIANCE, APLURALITY OF TERMINALS AFFIXED TO SAID HOUSING SO AS TO MAKE ELECTRICALCONTACT WITH CONTACT MEMBERS OF SAID SWITCHES, A DRIVING MEANS FORROTATING SAID SHAFT, AND AN END PLATE IN EACH END OF SAID HOUSING FORSUPPORTING SAID ROTATING SHAFT AND SAID DRIVING MEANS.